Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation
Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation
This article is part of our MIAM & Court Process Guides, which explain how MIAMs relate to mediation and the family court process.
If you are asking “Do I need a MIAM?”, the answer usually depends on what you are planning to do.
In most situations, a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is required — particularly if you are planning to apply to the family court or are considering mediation.
Attending a MIAM is often the simplest way to meet this requirement and avoid delay. A MIAM is typically required in two situations:
The meeting allows a mediator to understand your situation, explain the process clearly, and assess whether mediation may help both people reach practical arrangements.
Most people encounter a MIAM in one of two ways.
If you are considering mediation to resolve issues following separation, a MIAM is normally the first step.
The meeting allows the mediator to understand the situation and consider whether mediation may help both people reach practical arrangements.
In many cases, the court expects people to attend a MIAM before submitting applications about:
The purpose is to ensure that mediation has been properly considered before court proceedings begin.
For many families, mediation begins with a MIAM. The typical process is:
Where appropriate, mediation can then continue through structured sessions.
A MIAM is normally required before court proceedings can begin in
situations such as:
The court expects confirmation that mediation has been considered before proceedings start.
There are situations where attending a MIAM may not be necessary because a recognised exemption applies. Common examples include:
Whether an exemption applies depends on the details of your situation and the type of application being made. The court ultimately decides whether an exemption is valid.
If you would like structured guidance to help think this through, you may find the following options helpful.
You can answer a few short questions to help consider whether a MIAM is likely to be required. The suitability check takes around two minutes and may help clarify the next step.
If you would prefer guidance based on your circumstances, we can help explain the possible next steps.
If a MIAM is required and no exemption applies, a court application may be delayed or returned. This is because the court normally expects confirmation that mediation has been considered.
This confirmation is provided through:
If you have concluded that a MIAM is required, the next step is to arrange an appointment.
A MIAM is usually the starting point both for beginning mediation and for meeting the court requirement before making certain family applications.
If you would first like to understand more about how MIAM appointments work within our service, you can read: MIAM
If you are still considering whether a MIAM applies in your situation, these guides may also help: